American Idol Gambling Odds Have Archuleta And Cook Favored
David Archuleta is no stranger to being favored in the American Idol competition. He has been the odds makers choice since the finalists were announced, and continues to be a favorite.
He is now joined at the top, however. David Cook started out the live performances somewhere in the middle of the pack. He has consistently performed at a top level, and is now a co-favorite with Archuleta. Both contestants are +100 to win.
Starr Report: At least for now…
OK, so now Paula Abdul will perform on the “Today” show, after canceling her original April 25 live performance (part of the show’s summer concert series). Abdul is now scheduled to appear on “Today” Friday, Aug. 29 – the first show back in New York following “Today’s” two- week sojourn to Beijing for the Summer Olympics.
Abdul’s rep said yesterday that, “She looks forward to performing for her loyal and supportive fans and being a part of the prestigious ‘Toyota Concert Series on ‘Today, ‘”- attributing the cancellation of Abdul’s April 25 “Today” performance to a “production commitment” on “American Idol.”
“Bye-Bye” to Miss God Bless the USA
It Mariah-Carey-as-mentor week on AI. And I was all set. This was going to be a gold mine of weirdness, of loony Mariah Carey-isms. But something very strange is going on in Mariah-land lately. She seems to be ¦this almost hurts to write ¦not entirely out of her mind.
Back in the good old days of Glitter, …exhaustion, TRL Popsicle-based entertainment moments, …Loverboy videos that consisted of her caressing her own breasts to the exclusion of all other activities, and that monumental, flabbergasting Cribs appearance, you could count on Mariah for a sweet dose of reality-disconnection.
But then I saw her on Oprah. And she seemed all normal, foxy and sane and thinner, but not in that Posh Spice way where you have to just sort of smell a lemon for breakfast and pretend you ate it. My friend Dennis and I immediately e-mailed each other. His message to me: …Im obsessed with how Oprah tried to tie Mariah’s diet into something ‘spiritual’ and Mariah wasn’t having it. She’s like, ‘Thanks to this French lady who works for me now, I never eat anything fun because I want to look hot. It’s that simple and it has nothing to do with the Secret or my higher self or an aha moment.
Dish Of Salt: Booted ‘Idol’ Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy talks about her departure from “American Idol.” Plus, the newly engaged Kristy shares the steamy “I do” details of her engagement to AccessHollywood.com’s Dish of Salt, Laura Saltman.
Podcast: David Cook’s brother went to “Idol” for all the right reasons
David’s very sick brother Adam Cook was in L.A. to see the show this week. The citizens of Terre Haute raised $80, 000 to cover the costs of getting him out there, which we talked about earlier this week. I had once relied on a family member’s access to a Cessna to get myself medical treatment. And though Adam Cook’s cancer is much more serious than mine ever was, the reason was the same: getting aboard a commercial jet with compromised immune systems is a no-no. Plus, if I were to get sick, could we land in time to get me to medical care?
Terre Haute solved all those problems … and a heartwarming storyline was made possible. David Cook had tears in his eyes at the end.
On the radio this morning I was asked: Was bringing Adam out to L.A. just a ratings ploy? Well, if it was, it failed. And no, I don’t believe it was. You can hear my reasons why in the podcast.
Who’s Gov. Perry’s ‘idol’? Hint: he’s an Aggie
When Gov. Rick Perry said this week, “Don’t ask me who I voted for ’cause that’s none of your business, ” he wasn’t talking politics, exactly.
Perry’s comments on the KVET-FM radio morning show “The Talk of Austin” with Bucky Godbolt and Bob Cole, were referring to “American Idol.”
Yes, the governor is a fan.
He strongly hinted that his favorite contestant is Jason Castro, a student at the governor’s alma mater, Texas A&M University.
“I don’t watch an inordinate amount of TV, ” Perry explained, “but this is one that my wife actually said, ‘Come here, you’ve got to watch this. They’ve got an Aggie on here that’s singing and he’s got dreads.’ ”
How to speak Paula, or The Abdul-to-English Dictionary
But once it all settles down and we’re left with only those singers with real talent, where can we go for our weekly dose of crazy? Yes, this is something that is an important part of the American Idol experience. The producers aren’t stupid. They know that once the crazy contestants are flushed away they risk the chance of losing the ‘slow down to look at an accident and I better see a body if I had to sit in traffic for more than ten minutes for this or at least a severed limb’ crowd. And that, my friends, is why I bring you ‘Exhibit A’: Ms. Paula Abdul.
What young Roman Catholics want from the pope.
On Saturday, Benedict will play host to more than 25, 000 young people at a youth rally just north of Manhattan at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. Kelly Clarkson has been enlisted to warm up the crowd with a rendition of “Ave Maria”–perhaps a sign that Benedict may need a little help in energizing a crowd of kids. “Honestly, I think a lot of people are more excited to see Kelly Clarkson, ” admits 16 year-old Stephanie LaGumina, who will attend the rally along with 100 of her female classmates from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, N.Y. In a group interview with four of them earlier this week, they spoke of a strong desire for Benedict to speak directly to young people but also a deep disconnect that many in their generation feel with the church, particularly with this pope. “It’s important for him to see how the faith relates to us, and I’m not sure that he does, ” said 17-year-old Gianna Caiola. “We’re the future of the faith, and if you lose us now, there will be nothing left.” Added LaGumina, “I know a lot of guys who have said they would be more interested in going to seminary if John Paul was still pope.”
Go! The St. Louis Calendar, Saturday, 4/19
The Wiz and Son: Nikko Smith, former American Idol contestant and son of St. Louis’ favorite Hall of Fame shortstop, Ozzie Smith, will be out touting a new book, Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. Despite the book’s breathless title, the meet-and-greet today is a chance to see the Cards’ former shortstop and his son. If you need some advice, the book could help also. It’s at 2 p.m. at the Creve Coeur Borders (11745 Olive Boulevard; 314-432-3575 or www.borders.com). More details here.
Jordin Sparks, O.A.R. Join Lineup For Earth Day Event
Several stars are joining the lineup for the Earth Day celebration planned for April 20 on the National Mall in Washington.
Jordin Sparks from “American Idol, Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, veteran rapper Doug E. Fresh, O.A.R. and others will join The Roots at the flagship event in Washington. Organizers say speakers will include Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, NASA scientist James Hansen and others.
Glendale’s Jordin Sparks going on tour with Alicia Keys
Glendale’s Jordin Sparks is quickly becoming one of “American Idol’s” more successful winners, and Saturday, she’ll go on tour with one of pop music’s biggest names.
Sparks, who already has two hit singles, will be the opening act for Alicia keys.
Sparks says her last touring experience was with the “American Idols Live” tour last summer.
Jordin Sparks performance at BJC canceled
Due to an unfortunate illness, Jordin Sparks has been forced to cancel her show scheduled for this Sunday, April 20, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Sparks’ doctor has advised the Jordan Center that the former “American Idol” winner cannot perform due to an acute vocal cord hemorrhage condition. Because of the risk of permanent vocal cord damage, Sparks has been ordered to strict vocal rest and will not be able to perform anywhere until her condition improves.
The Jordan Center apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this uncontrollable circumstance.
An ‘Idol’s’ giddy year
Jordin Sparks vividly remembers where she was last year at this time: buried in the pack of American Idol finalists.
“Blake [Lewis] was the super-favorite, ” she recalls on the phone from Los Angeles. “Other than him, it was between Melinda [Doolittle] and LaKisha [Jones]. Sanjaya [Malakar] was getting all the press. I was like, ‘I still can’t believe I’m even here.’ ”
Yet, the dark horse from Glendale, Ariz., went on to win the singing contest, becoming, at 17, the youngest Idol ever.
Sun Fun lineup biggest yet
t may not be on Ocean Boulevard, but the Sun Fun Festival on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base is going to be bigger this year than ever.
There will be celebrities – “Hannah Montana” star Cody Linley, American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, and more – a performance from Third Eye Blind, a national personal watercraft championship and a kids play area the size of a football field.
“This will be a banner year for Sun Fun, ” said Holly McMillan, who organizes the festival for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s just going to be awesome.”
Cinderella Ball set for May 31
The House Inc., a Woodbridge-based non-profit organization, will hold its Third Annual Cinderella Ball on May 31 for students in fourth to 12th grades with disabilities.
The ball is a prom night designed especially for middle and high school students at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.
This event, which begins at 6 p.m., will be highlighted by live presentations from recording artist Ruben Studdard and best-selling author Kyle Maynard.
Studdard, the 2003 winner of the Fox television show “American Idol, ” has gone on to become an award-winning recording artist. He will meet the guests, sign autographs and perform a live concert for the students and their families.
Finally’ the Josh Gracin interview!
At this stage of his career, all the time hed been spending on the road promoting his records had taken a toll on his personal life. (He married with kids.) And he said he ultimately wasnt satisfied with the way the album was coming together. He changed producers and he wanted to get more involved in writing his own songs.
Ultimately, he said, if …Favorite State of Mind had become a massive hit, the album would have come out, an album …I was not happy with, not comfortable with. It should have been better.
That what got him to the current single …We Werent Crazy, an autobiographical song. …I had just gotten off the road, he said. …I thought about how my parents disapproved of my relationship when I was 16. [He married his high school sweetheart.] I thought about how people thought I was crazy joining the Marines. Im fortunate it worked out three kids and 11 years later. I proved them wrong. I wasnt crazy!
